The Frugal Frigate in Redlands to close its doors for expansion project

The Frugal Frigate will be closed for remodeling starting Monday through May 2nd, and the owner has plans to give customers an exclusive look during the annual Vintage Redlands.
Photo by Eric Reed

REDLANDS >> The Frugal Frigate is getting a face-lift.

The downtown bookstore is closing its doors for a few days starting Monday to work on an expansion project that will increase space for customers and inventory.

The shop announced the closure on its Facebook page, along with its intentions to reopen on May 3 in celebration of California Bookstore Day.

Those participating in the Vintage Redlands wine tour on Friday will receive a sneak peek of the changes, said Scott Winn, a project manager. “We are refreshing the look of the store, we’re not changing it,” he said. “It’s still going to have that charm to it.”

The project is being made possible with support from the community after the store saw an increase in sales and foot traffic, he added. Additional support is being provided by the building’s owner, Joe Avakian, who will pay for the installation of new carpet, he said.

“The new carpeting has us moving thousands of books, and it will not be easy,” Winn said. “(Joe) has been a huge supporter, and has continued to support us in our efforts to improve the physical part of the bookstore.”

The bookstore is the only one of its kind in Redlands, and provides a variety of services for book lovers.

Book signings, birthday parties and their newest feature, Our Cool Friend, is bringing in more customers.

An increase in literature options have served as an additional benefit for the store, Winn said.

“We have seen our highest quarter in five years since last quarter. It’s been amazing,” he continued. “I think public awareness and the advantage of physical books creates an interaction between child and the reader instead of the child and the device. So that’s catching on.

“It’s fantastic that these parents are reading to children at such a young age.”

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To close out this weekend the Frugal Frigate will host author Jeff McMahon in celebration of National History Monday. McMahon will read and sign copies of his book, “Swimming to the Moon,” starting at 10:30 a.m.

When the store reopens its doors next Saturday, Frugal’s founder and former owner Katherine Thomerson will read to the public, Winn said.